High Performance Recreational Configuration

So, I've been working on building a functional, streamlined, compact recreational single tank diving setup.. With some trial and error, this is what I am currently assembling.. I won't get to dive the complete setup until the end of November, at which point I will post my findings =)

I know some of this is controversial, but please keep the thread flame free.

Keeping in mind that I know my choices are not perfect for everyone, or every situation, I open this post for your comments, concerns, compliments, and constructive complaints...


Freedom Plate - In the mail
Moves weight from a belt to over my torso, where I need it, keeps the tank off my tail bone, might keep me from arching my back too much, and uses a hog harness.
(I currently am using a Mark Meadows Low Profile Travel Plate.. Using a shorter tank or rebreather canister it would be perfect for me, but an Aluminum 80 is long enough to dig into my tail bone when mounted.. its "too low profile"

Oxycheq Hogarthian Harness
Simple, fits me well, pretty easy to adjust if necessary, cheap and easy to replace as it ages..


Oxycheq 18# Travel Wing
Compact and enough buoyancy for my recreational needs, easy enough to patch if I pierce it.


Poseidon Xstream Deco
Light weight, side exhaust, easy breather, parts can be expensive BUT Scuba Toys has a nice deal regarding that:
"We will do annual service for $49.95 on any reg purchased from us. And parts are free for life!"
(And they matched divers-supply.com's price =) )


Atomic Aquatics SS1
Combined Alternate Air Source and Inflator, eliminates another hose, rated for 2 year service interval, relatively compact.


Oceanic Atom 1.0 Wireless Air integrated Wrist Computer
Eliminates one hose, and a few places that could leak. Best of all it lets me turn off audible alarms!!!!


Dive Rite Z-Knife - shoulder mount
Safe to use blade that mounts in a minimum of space and stays put.


Dive Rite Stainless Steel Cam Bands
Spares that I have laying around... *might* have my LDS order me a set of the Scubapro hinge style.


Dive Rite Fingerspool with Hi Viz Orange line
Small and compact, very easy to see the line.


See Me Safety Signal Tube
Signal Marker Buoy for open water safety stops and boat signaling.. 14 pounds of lift for recovering that treasure chest I'll never find


Cressi Minima Mask, Black skirt
Very low volume, easy to clear, stays put on my face and does not pull up on my nose. Fits my face very well


Omer-Sub Millennium Black freediving fins
Trying these this weekend, will see how that goes.. if they don't live up to my expectations, back to my Scubapro Twin Jets and/or DiveRite Spring Strap Paddles


Omer-Sub Zoom Pro Soft - Black Snorkel
I don't typically use a snorkel, but for when I do, this one is light, and you could tie it in a knot and then untie it and it would be fine =)


Omer-Sub Rubber Weight Belt
In the event I need a few extra pounds, this weight belt has some stretch to it so it won't fall off when my suit compresses.


Aeris XR Compass Clip Mount boot
Since I almost never use my compass, a clip mount boot to keep it secure and out of the way until I want it..



For the most part, what I could get locally, I did..

Online:
http://www.pacificcoastmarine.net
http://www.spearfishinggear.com
http://www.scubatoys.com
http://www.diveriteexpress.com
http://www.scuba.com

LDS:
http://www.divecustom.com Piney Flats, TN
http://www.smokymtndivers.com Kingsport, TN

Vacation LDS:
http://www.seminolescuba.com Lake Mary, FL

No flames here but here is my take on what I should have gotten when I first started out:

1. DS4/XTX50/ATX50 one of my biggest regret of not getting when I got my first reg.
2. Oxycheq 30# single or double bladder wing. Either is fine
3. Oxycheq Al plate/lightweight STA and full hog harness.
4. XSScuba weight pockets 4 pc
5. Apollo snorkle
6. Oceanic Shadow & Tusa Viewtrek mask
7. Jetfins with springs of course
8. UWatec bottom timer and another tec cpu just for backup

My 2 cents

SangP

Just for fun I've compiled a list of stuff when I started as a kid + some modern recommendations.

1. AMF Swimmaster Regulator MR 12 with Sportsway Octopus
2. Seatec Horsecollar BC - Yellow
3. US Divers Hardpack with Metal Camband
4. Vinyl Covered Bullet Weights - ick!
5. Whitestag Snorkel
6. US Divers "Falco" Mask
7. Original Jetfins later replaced with AMF Swimaster fins - all rubber
8. PrincetonTec Bottom Timer & White stag Capillary Depth Gauge
9. Parkway Sharkskin Wetsuit with nut-binder beavertail
10. Nemrod "New" Aluminum Luxfer Tank
11. Dacor - Lead acid 6 volt PAR lamp light


I also recommend Apeks regs. as primary and secondary. Poseidon's as cool and great breathers, but they can be a pain and certainly not DIR compliant (not that anyone cares). You save some bucks too. Also, save more bucks by diving profiles written on Wetnotes. This is what I typically use. I have a computer as backup, but I never really rely on it much as I don't trust computers working beyond a few years. This is with all the fancy, schmancy fully-integrated, multi-gas driven dive computers built into my rebreathers. I've had so many go belly-up that I rely on vinyl before a chipset. Small canister light in there somewhere???

Love Oxycheq!

Best,

X

=) Yes, I forgot to mention it, and my backups... Dive Rite Slimline w/ focusable head, and a pair of UK eLED Plus's

Mr.X:

nut-binder X

Click to expand...

Yikes.

evad:

Yikes.

Click to expand...

I dove in cold water so they were raisins anyway!

Apologies to anyone I may offend.

What water temp are you planning to dive in?
Is this setup for a dive skin, wetsuit, or drysuit?
What tanks, rental or your own, steel or alu, size?
I like most of what you have described but am not sure if the weighting optios would work.

I dive anywhere from the 50s F to the tropics.. a 5/4 full wetsuit with a 7mm hooded vest is my coldest water gear.. I guess I *could* put my 3/2 shortie over it

With just the 5/4 and booties/gloves I was comfortable in 72 degree F water for 70 minutes.

I have a pair of aluminum 80s... which is mostly what is available to rent around here..

With a 3/2 shortie and Transpac, I needed no weight in salt water.

With the 5/4 and no vest, with a single tank, I only needed 4 pounds when wearing a transpac in fresh water... the Mr. Sedletzky told me the Freedom plate weighs about 4 pounds by itself.. and that the all up weight with all stainless steel hardware and hog harness is about 7 pounds. I have a pair of 2 pound hard weights and a pair of 4 pound hard weights that I can put on the hog harness, or the rubber weight belt.

Beyond that, I have about 20 pounds in soft weights that I was using with my Transpac, that I could put the pockets on the hog harness and load up.. but that kindof defeats the idea of what I am going for =)

A plate (I really like) which sheds some hip weights is a custom made backplate from Fred T in a 12, or 16 pound config. That, or double up two identical plates to shed weight and improve streamlining. Transpac and all...somewhat dodgy for rec. diving.

I have been rec diving with side mounts on a transpac =)

I set up my transpac to do side mounts for cave training.. and was too lazy to put it back into back mount... but, I have been diving with just a single cylinder slung on the left side.. and am fairly well balanced